Pierrelatte: Culture, history and routes

In Pierrelatte, you can shape your stay around a range of themes: historic sites and events, the Village Provençal Aimé et Simone Brun, the Ferme aux Crocodiles, or walking and cycling routes. Consider which of these activities you want to make the focus of your trip. This lets you connect your search for a hotel in Pierrelatte with the experiences that interest you there.

Walking and cycling routes

The “La vie du Rhône” cycling loop starts at the Pierrelatte Tourist Office and connects to the ViaRhôna. It heads towards the Rhône and the Donzère-Mondragon Canal. The Tourist Office provides maps and route guides, and has a bicycle repair kit. If you include the cycling loop in your plans, this information is a practical starting point for exploring the route.

The “À la découverte des chapelles à pied” walking route offers a different perspective. Along the route, you can learn about the history of Pierrelatte’s four chapels. It is classified as a walking route and is accessible every day throughout the year. This gives you a clearly defined way to discover the history of the chapels on foot; the cycling loop, in contrast, focuses on its connection to the ViaRhôna and its direction towards the Rhône and the canal.

Le Rocher and the historic centre

Le Rocher is classified as a site of artistic character and is home to an open-air theatre. The site hosts concerts, theatre performances and other events. If a performance or concert is the reason for your trip, check the specific event dates before planning your stay.

The historic centre also has a distinct historical connection: it has been inhabited since the 11th century. Self-guided visits are possible there at any time. Historic buildings include the Pierrelatte windmill. It was built in 1839 and restored by the municipality in 2011. These dates distinguish the original construction from the later restoration and provide two specific points of interest for a history-focused walk.

Santons, reptiles and plants

The Village Provençal Aimé et Simone Brun has 341 Santons, including 114 moving figures. The village also features representations of some of Pierrelatte’s historic sites. A visit brings together the Santons and depictions of local history; the figures cited give an idea of the collection’s size.

The Ferme aux Crocodiles has a different focus. It features 700 reptiles and includes 600 tropical plant species and varieties. A playful, educational trail is part of the visit, along with free activities in close proximity to the animals. Self-guided visits are available on an ongoing basis. If you would rather focus on animals and plants than historic sites or routes, the Ferme offers a distinct focus for your stay.

Summer market and planning your stay

The Pierrelatte Producers’ Market takes place in summer on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 pm. As this is a seasonal market, check the date before your trip. Along with the option of attending events at Le Rocher, the market provides a specific time reference for planning. The cycling loop and chapel route, by contrast, offer activities whose stated access is available every day throughout the year, or whose starting point and route are specified.

When looking for a hotel, you can therefore start by choosing the focus of your stay: a walk to the chapels, the cycling loop towards the Rhône and the canal, history in the centre and at Le Rocher, or a visit to the Ferme aux Crocodiles and the Village Provençal. If you plan to visit the market or attend an event, check the relevant dates and then plan your hotel stay around your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Villeperdrix, Marsanne, Truinas, Saint-Jean-En-Royans, La Touche, Charens, Alixan, Bénivay-Ollon.

For the broader travel overview: Drôme.